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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Jersey Unreported Judgments >> AG -v- Norris [2009] JRC 033 (23 February 2009) URL: http://www.bailii.org/je/cases/UR/2009/2009_033.html Cite as: [2009] JRC 033, [2009] JRC 33 |
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[2009]JRC033
ROYAL COURT
(Samedi Division)
23rd February 2009
Before : |
Sir Philip Bailhache, Kt., Bailiff and Jurats Le Brocq and Tibbo. |
The Attorney General
-v-
Matthew Donovan Norris
Magistrate's Court Appeal by the Prosecution asking for a 3 year disqualification on Count 6.
Advocate R. C. P. Pedley Esq., for Her Majesty's Attorney General.
The Defendant appeared in person.
JUDGMENT
THE BAILIFF:
1. This is a case stated by the Attorney General arising from the sentencing of Matthew Donovan Norris by the Magistrate's Court on 28th November, 2008.
2. On that date Norris pleaded guilty to a charge of failing without reasonable cause to provide a specimen when required to do so, contrary to Article 30(7) of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956. That statutory provision provides:-
3. On the 28th November, Norris was sentenced to 3 months' imprisonment for this offence and no period of disqualification was imposed by the Acting Magistrate.
4. Norris had previously been disqualified from driving for 2 years on 23rd June, 2004, for the same offence of failing to provide a specimen when required to do so. Article 30(8) of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956 provides that:-
5. On 30th December, 2008, at the request of the Attorney General the Acting Magistrate stated a case for the opinion of the Royal Court on the question of law involved. He confirmed that Norris should have been disqualified for a minimum of 3 years, there being no special reasons to order otherwise, and that in not doing so he had erred in law. Article 22(1) of the Magistrate's Court (Miscellaneous Provisions)(Jersey) Law 1949 provides that:-
6. We are quite clear that a mistake of law was made by the Acting Magistrate. The Crown Advocate has not suggested that there are any special reasons applying in this case which might mitigate against a disqualification for a period of 3 years. For our part we can see no reason to extend the period of 3 years by imposing a longer disqualification and it is convenient for the matter to be dealt with by this Court rather than by remission to the Magistrate's Court.
7. We accordingly allow the appeal by the Attorney General and order the disqualification of Matthew Donovan Norris from holding a driving licence for a period of 3 years, that period to date from his conviction on 28th November, 2008.